Developer still urges Angels big box

Fred Katz, the developer who wants to build an Angels Camp Wal-Mart, isn't bothered by negative community feedback.

"It's America and everyone's entitled to their opinion," Katz said of what he calls the "vocal minority" opposing the store.

Katz approached Wal-Mart officials several months ago about building a Wal-Mart Super Center on a 9-acre lot next to Frog Jump Plaza, at Highways 4 and 49. He developed the plaza in 2001 and owns the land next to it.

Katz, a general partner with FHK, a Sacramento-based development company, hasn't received a response yet from Wal-Mart, and doesn't expect one for another year.

But he does know that neither Safeway nor Raley's is interested in building stores until the area grows.

"They're watching the area," he said of his conversations with the supermarket representatives.

Katz contacted them in case Wal-Mart falls through. If a Super Center isn't built, Katz said he will push for another big-box store and supermarket at the site.

"Angels Camp can support another supermarket before a big box store," he said.

Angels Camp City Administrator Tim Shearer has said he's received both positive and negative comments on Wal-Mart.

However, when Shearer spoke two weeks ago at an Angels-Murphy Rotary Club meeting, no one voiced support for a new Wal-Mart.

"We're confident that eventually we'll expand that shopping center," Katz said of Frog Jump Plaza.

Contact Mike Morris at
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